JEE Main 2023 · 29 January · evening · Single correct · +4 / −1
The major component of which of the following ore is sulphide based mineral?
- (a) Sphalerite
- (b) Siderite
- (c) Malachite
- (d) Calamine
Answer and solution
Answer (a) Sphalerite
Solution
Chemistry ma’am · 2 steps
Write the formula of each ore first. Only one of them has sulphur bonded to the metal as S²⁻.
- What to look for. A sulphide ore has the metal bonded to the S²⁻ ion. Carbonate ores contain CO₃²⁻ instead, so they have no sulphur at all.
Ore Main mineral Type Sphalerite (zinc blende) ZnS sulphide Siderite FeCO₃ carbonate Malachite CuCO₃.Cu(OH)₂ basic carbonate Calamine ZnCO₃ carbonate - So. Only sphalerite, ZnS, is a sulphide ore. The answer is (a).
The idea to keep. Learn ores in pairs of name and formula. Common sulphide ores to remember: zinc blende ZnS, galena PbS, cinnabar HgS, copper pyrites CuFeS₂, argentite Ag₂S.
Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.